FORT COLLINS, Colo. –Optimism surrounds the Colorado State football program halfway through spring drills, and season tickets for Jim McElwain’s second season as head coach of the Rams are on sale now. Prices for 2013 will remain largely the same, with the exception of some sideline and end zone sections, which decreased 13% from last year.

Those sideline seats that did not decrease in cost will remain the same price in 2013 as 2012, which represented nearly a 12-percent reduction from the previous year. Season tickets on a per-game basis start at less than $20 per-game for the seven-game home slate. Season tickets will represent up to a 20% savings versus individual game pricing for the 2013 season.

Current season ticket holders will receive email renewal statements this week with hard copies sent by mail in the next few weeks for those that choose not to renew online. Season ticket holders will also have the ability to choose a five-installment payment plan this year to make the process more convenient.

Fans interested in purchasing new season tickets can visit CSURAMS.COM or call 800-491-RAMS to place a deposit for priority seating. Exact locations for new ticket holders will be assigned in the next month. Certain seats will require a per-seat donation.

The Rams will play six home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Season-ticket packages also include the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown versus in-state rival Colorado, played at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Labor Day weekend. The Mountain West Conference schedule has yet to be announced, but in addition to the Colorado matchup, CSU’s home slate includes games against Cal Poly (Sept. 14), UTEP (Sept. 28) and MW rivals Air Force, Boise State, Nevada and San Jose State at Hughes Stadium.

The Rams enter the 2013 season seeking to build on the momentum of having closed Coach McElwain’s initial season at the helm with three wins in their final five games, and bring a three-game home winning streak into the upcoming season. Colorado State returns 15 starters from that team, including four who received All-Mountain West consideration in 2012, in addition to a deep and talented class of new signees.

“The commitment shown by this team and the way they attacked the offseason has been exceptional,” McElwain said. “We finished last season on a positive note and that has carried over into our Ram U program and spring ball. The investment they have made has put us in a much stronger place as we approach this season. We have to keep raising our expectations, and there is much work to be done, but I like this team and the direction we are headed. We look forward to seeing our great fans at Hughes Stadium and giving them a lot to be excited about in 2013.”

The annual Spring Game kicks off at noon on Saturday, April 20 at Hughes Stadium. Pregame festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the opening of Ram Town. Fans in the Denver area also may see their team in action this Friday, April 12, when the Rams hold an open practice at Infinity Park of Glendale (4400 E. Kentucky Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. Ram Town opens at 4 p.m.